Torimono_sandogu_(tools_for_capturing_criminals)

The (push pole) was a

pole weapon A polearm or pole weapon is a close combat weapon in which the main fighting part of the weapon is fitted to the end of a long shaft, typically of wood, thereby extending the user's effective range and striking power. Polearms are predominantly ...

used by the

samurai were the hereditary military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan from the late 12th century until their abolition in 1876. They were the well-paid retainers of the '' daimyo'' (the great feudal landholders). They h ...

class and their retainers in feudal Japan.

History and description

Edo period The or is the period between 1603 and 1867 in the history of Japan, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional '' daimyo''. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengoku period, the Edo period was characteriz ...

Japan the samurai were in charge of police operations, various levels of samurai police with help from non-samurai commoners used many types of non lethal weapons in order to capture suspected criminals for trial. Historically the tsukubō was used as a type of

man catcher A man catcher, also known as catchpole, is an esoteric type of pole weapon which was used in Europe as late as the 18th century. It consisted of a pole mounted with a two pronged head. Each prong was semi-circular in shape with a spring-loaded "do ...

, usually around 2 meters in length, with a T-shaped head. The head of the tsukubō would have various metal spikes and barbs. The pole was hardwood with sharp metal barbs or spines attached to metal strips on one end to keep the person being captured from grabbing the pole. The opposite end of the pole would have a metal cap, or ''ishizuki'' like those found on

naginata The ''naginata'' (, ) is a pole weapon and one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades (''nihontō''). ''Naginata'' were originally used by the samurai class of feudal Japan, as well as by ashigaru (foot soldiers) and sōhei ( ...

and other pole weapons. The tsukubō was one component of the '' torimono sandōgu'' (three implements of arresting), along with the '' sodegarami'' (sleeve entangler) and the ''

sasumata The is a pole weapon used by the samurai class and their retainers in feudal Japan. Description and use Although some sources place the origin of the sasumata in the Muromachi period, most sources discuss its use in the Edo period. In Edo peri ...

'' (spear fork) used by samurai police to capture suspected criminals uninjured. The tsukubō could be used to push, pull, or trip a suspect. The tsukubō may have been developed from a type of Japanese rake used by farmers according to Don Cunningham.''Taiho-jutsu: law and order in the age of the samurai'', Don Cunningham, Tuttle Martial Arts, Tuttle Publishing, 2004
, P.93-100 Originally made of wood, the teeth were eventually covered with or made of metal so that they would last longer. It is likely that they were used by farmers as impromptu weapons when necessary. Don Cunningham also states that the ''tsukubō'' was also called ''teppa'', ''hakan'', ''gettetsuken'', ''saburi'', and ''hoko''.''Taiho-jutsu: law and order in the age of the samurai'', Don Cunningham, Tuttle Martial Arts, Tuttle Publishing, 2004
, P.93-100

References

* Cunningham, Don. ''Taiho-jutsu:Law and Order in the Age of the Samurai''. Boston; Rutland, Vermont; Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing, 2004. * 神之田常盛. ''剣術神道霞流''. 萩原印刷株式会社, 2003. * Mol, Serge. ''Classic Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts''. Tokyo; New York; London: Kodansha International, 2003.

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsukubo Samurai polearms Polearms of Japan Samurai police weapons

History and description

See also

References

External links